Development of Two Improved Water Chestnut Varieties (Trapa spp.) and their Characterization Using RAPD and ISSR Markers

Purpose: To develop improved varieties of water chestnut in terms of yield, and TSS and to compare these two varieties with two local varieties using RAPDs and ISSR molecular markers. Methods: Improved Red Spineless (IRS) and Improved Green Spineless (IGS) plants were chosen from the Red spineless and Green spineless biotypes in 2016-2017 at the National Research Centre for Makhana, Darbhanga, Bihar. These improved varieties were grown in multilocation trails till 2021. The improved varieties and two popular varieties (RSLL and RSSL) were analysed with 10 RAPD and 10 ISSR markers and the data were analysed using DARwin software in the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad. Results: Improved Red Spineless (IRS) and Improved Green Spineless (IGS) varieties had higher yield, and TSS compared to their parents. These two improved varieties are registered at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) as IC 642169 and IC 642170, respectively. The analysis with RAPD and ISSR markers resulted in a total of 78 polymorphic fragments with an average PIC of 0.24 and an average MI of 1.3. The dendrogram analysis has demonstrated that the new improved varieties are molecularly distinct from the locally popular varieties. A few fragments from RAPD and ISSR markers specifically amplified in improved varieties can be used as markers for varietal identification. Conclusions: First improved water chestnut varieties with higher yield, and TSS in India were developed by National Research Centre of Makhana, Darbhanga, Bihar and are registered as IC 642169 (Swarna Lohit) and IC 642170 (Swarna Harit) by NBPGR.